The residents of Araromi-Ilugun-Itoko and six other communities in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State on Monday, protested the terrible state of the road linking their communities as well as the huge gully erosion which had not only destroyed the road but also threatened to sack the communities whenever it rained.
The residents during the protest were armed with placards bearing messages such as, “Gov Dapo Abiodun, come to our aid at Araromi-Ilugun-Itoko”, “We can’t access our houses again due to gully erosion”, “We can’t afford another rainfall under this condition” among others.
The residents raised the alarm of an imminent flooding disaster and landslides which would affect no fewer than 50 houses if the problem of the gully erosion is not fixed before the next rainy season begins.
The affected communities are: Araromi Ilugun-Itoko, Victory Estate, Surulere, Peaceland, Ilugun Central, Sunshine Estate and Abata CDA.
Speaking with our correspondent, the Chairman of Araromi-Ilugun-Itoko Community Development Association, Mr Okuneye Alaba Ezekiel, explained that the challenge started around June.
Okuneye said, “The gully erosion is really threatening the existence of the foundation of our communities. It started in June this year and it has become a source of serious concern to the residents. In fact, we believe that disaster looms should nothing be done on this terrible gully if the next rainfall should begin.
“The volume of the water that is coming to Araromi Ilugun-Itoko CDA resulted into this gully erosion and as communities, we don’t have the capacity to handle this huge challenge.
“We are calling on the state government and particularly the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Environment to come to our rescue because if another rainy season should start, there will be a serious problem in this area.
“We have about seven communities accessing this road and the gully erosion has destroyed the road. People can no longer drive to their houses, even to trek to their various houses is a serious challenge as a result of the gully erosion.
“We are calling on the government to come to our rescue because if another rainy season should set in, about 50 houses will be affected and seven communities will also be affected.
“Before now, we had been appealing to government to come to our rescue, but our voice has not been heard yet.
“We want the government to help us to construct drainage that will channel the water into a nearby river down the community. It has to be a very big drainage looking at the havoc that the the gully has caused, but if that is not done a greater disaster looms.
“We are appealing to Governor Abiodun as well as the Federal Ministry of Environment to please arise and help us. We don’t want to wait until we begin to lose lives and property. Already, our economic activities are badly affected. We plead for all the help that we can get before the next rainy season begins.”